Fire-extinguisher



NOV- 17, 1931 G. T. PEARsoNs FIRE EXTINGUISHER Filed April 19. 1928Tia-2- TOR Patented Nov. 17, 1931 narra stares GEORGE PEAESONS, OLE' NEWYORK, N. Y.

FIRE-EXTINGUISHER Application fuea April is,

rihis invention relates to lire extinguishers ot the type in Which afire extinguishing liquid contained in a reservoir is dischargedtherefrom by a gas pressure generated in the reservoir by the reactionof the admixing of gas generating materials normally maintained in thereservoir; and it is the primary object of the invention to simplityutoimprove the general construction of tirel extinguishers ot this type tocheapen the cost of construction and increase the eiiiciency thereof.

A further obj ect of the invention is to provide an extinguisher ot'thistype in Which the gas generator is started, or 'they gas generatingmaterials mix, by inverting the extinguisher.

lt is a further object'of the invention to provide an improved generatoradapted to be removably mounted in the Yreservoir i whereby thegenerator may be removed from the reservoir for the purpose ofre-charging, cleaning or the substitution of another generator.

It is another objecto the invention to provide an improved gas`generator in which the gas generating materials are normally held in aseparated condition and free from the iquid in the tank. Y

lt is another object of the invention to provide new means to hold thegas generating materials, the acid and the alkaliin a separatedcondition in the generator, in the upright position ot' the extinguisherand to cause them to admix When the chamber is inverted. y

It has been found in this type ot extinguisher that when theextinguisherl is invert ed the reaction of the generating materialWithin the generator has been so violent that part ot the reactingchemicals have been proliected into the reservoir With the gas pressu ecreated. The acid it projected trom the reservoir with the fireextinguiShingl liquid Will be detrimental to electrical equipment,delicate fabrics, rugs and other material, therefore, it is a furtherobject of this invention to provide means to exclude the gas generatingmaterials from the reservoir Whe the extinguisher is inverted. Y

Otten times extinguishers of this type are 1923. Serial No. 271,369.

used `on automotive vehicles, motor boats, etc., and are subgect to garand v1bration. Inasmuch as the outlet ot the generator is always open toreservoir and the re extinguishing liquid in the reservoir is likely tobe splashed 55 into the generator in the normal upright position ot theextinguisher, dueto the jar or the vibration or rough handling. Shouldany ot the tire extinguishing liquid enter the generatingchamber itWould tendto retard 60 the action ofthe gas generating vmaterials Whenthe extinguisher is inverted or itcoming in contact with them ina normalupright position ot the extinguisher might tend to deteriorate one orthe other of the gas gen-A t' eraring materials, therefore, itis thefurther object of this invention toprovide means in the torm of an airbell to exclude 'the' tire extinguishing fluid trom the interior of thegenerator in the normal upright position of 70 the extinguisher.

In addition to the above it has been found that due to the vibration andjar of the eX- tinguisher that the liquid gas generating materialcontained in the generator' has been 75 spilled or splashed from itscontainer Which in the case of acid has a deteriorating effect on themetal container in Which it is held. This container it corroded Wouldtend to leak and allon7 the tire extinguishing liquid' to enter thegenerator and render thev device in- Voperable under the conditionsvaforesaid mentioned, therefore. to overcome this condition it is afurther object of this invention to maintain the means for containingthe fluid gas generating material always open to the exterior thereofand to provide means to eliminate the splash of the liquid therefrom dueto jar orvibration of the extinguishers when carried` on motors,vehicles or otherwise subjected to the aforesaid conditions oi liar andvibrations.

It has been experienced with extinguishers of this type Where gas hasbeen conducted from the seat of the re-acting gas generat' ingmaterialssuch as soda and acid-by means ot a tube restricted in area that thetube became clogged with the elements of reaction in the form of sodiumsulphate. andcould not be easily cleaned, therefore, it is the turtherobject of this invention to provide means to convey the generated gasfrom the generator in a gas passage which alliords a spacious area whichcannot be clogged, overlooked or neglected and which cannot beobstructed and which will be easy to inspect, clean and afford an alwaysopen passage.

In extinguishers of this type it is very necessary that the pressureproducing elcments be inspected from time to time. This should berendered as easy as possible, therefore, in order that the gasgenerating matcrials in the generator may be inspected with the leastpossible damage and the greatest ease, it has been arranged to have thegenerator supported in axial alignment with and near the opening of theextinguisher. Therefore, in order to provide ineaiis to Yliaeilitr-.teinspecting a furthe-r object ot this invention is to provide means forwithdrawing the gen erator from the reservoir to afford easy inspectionor renewal of generating ma terial.

It has been tound in extinguishers of this type also that certaingenerating materials contained within the generator are subject todeterioration due to the entrance of the out-side atmosphere into thegenerator. In order to obviate this condition a seal has been arrangedand interposed between the outlet of the generator and the exterior ofthe extinguisher it being a further object of this invention to provi@ ea new means to exclude outside atmosphere from the genA erator.

It has been found that when bicarbonate 0f soda has been used as one otthe gas generating materials and has stood for a considerable time askim incrustation forms over the top of it in its container, sometimesdelaying the projection ot the soda from its container. therefore, it.has been arranged to obviate this condition by providing a slidingcontainer which when the extinguisher is inverted will tall with animpact thereby projecting the soda or the dry element from its containerit being a further object of this invention to provide means to torciblyeject by impact the dry gas generating material from its container whenthe extinguisher is inverted.

In this particular construction as is shown in the illustration it isnecessary that the gas generating material be so positioned that whenthe extinguisher is inverted the gas generating materials will beprojected cogether into the gas generating chamber so that they mayadmix and create a gas pressure when the extinguisher is inverted. It isalso an advantage to have a free movement for the sliding containers.Therefore, it is a further object ot' this invention to provide meansfor positioning the gas generating material containers in apredeterminzd position in the generator and to maintain them in apredetermined position both in the normal upright and in the invertedposition of the reservoir.

In extinguishers of any type it has always been tound to be a detrimentto have valves or movable parts which are likely to coi-rode7 stick andbecome inoperable to close the generator from the lire extinguishingliquid container.

In this particular structure I provide for an always open generator,open troni the gas generating chamber to the exterior thereof: aiiordingan always open gas passage tree troni obstruction, Avalves and otherimpedingl elements and still so constructed as to exclude the outsideatmosphere and the tire extinguishing tluid from the generator in theupright position ot the extinguisher, therefore, is the obicct of thisinvention to provide means comprising an air bell to exclude the outsideatmosphere and the lire extinguishing liquid trom the generator in theuprifl it position thereof providing tor an always open gas generatortree from valves.

It has been my experience that the gas generating materials foam up intheir reaction to a considerable height in the generaand are carriedtherefrom by the gas pressure to the exterior of the generator due to ast aightaway gas passage, therelore, in order to obviate such acondition it is a turther object of this invention to pro ride balliesor staggering means in the line ot the chemical reaction and gas flow tobaille and stagger the generated gas to render it dry and to maintainthe reaction within a limited space and to maintain the generatinmaterials within the generator :is the soda containers.

This present application is supplenieiitinv in part of my eo-pendingapj'ilication, Serial No. 392.224 and :tor further improvements on thegenerator disclosed b v said application.

Other objects and ad 'antages will utter appear.

In the drawings accompanying and 'torming a part of this specificationFigure l a sectional side elevation ot a tire extinguisher illustratingan embodiment my in'iproved chemical gas generator applied thereto.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a modified form ot thegenerator illustrated in Figure l.

Similar characters ot reference design hereina te like parts throughoutthe diliereut views ot the drawings.

In Figure l, ot the drawings7 I have shiny-:n

'nee-amv reservoir having an outlet 4, arranged with la hose 4taconnected thereto. Contained in the reservoir in axial alignment withthe opening 2, is a cylinder 5, having a 'solid bottom 5c, thus formingthe outer shell of Vthe generator. The bottom end of said cylinder restson the bottom of tank 1. 'I The other end 6, is open and lies adjacentAthe opening 2, in tank 1, in the normalupright 'position of theextinguisher. This opening 6, constitutes the outlet of the generator.Vithin the cylinder 5, is another cylinder 7, with a smaller outsidediameter than the inside diaineter of cylinder 5. This second Cylinderris solidly connected aiidpattached to an anl nular projection 8, fromthe reservoir cover 3, thereby forming a solid closure or top forcylinder 7. Cylinder 7 has an open lower end 9, extending` to adjacentthe bottom of cylinder 5, in the normal upright position ot theextinguisher and becomes the inlet to the outlet 6. Cylinder 7 being ofless outside diameter than the inside diameter of cylinder 5, forms anarea or passage 10, between exterior of vcylinder 7 and the interior ofcylinder 5, extending between inlet 9 and the outlet 7, thereby forminga spacious pas-V sage between the two cylinders for the gen-- erated gasto pass from inside the cylinder 7 through inlet 9, passage 10, andthrough outlet 6 to the exterior of the generator. The length ofcylinder 5 and cylinder 7 deter mine the length of the gas passage 10.The length of cylinder 7, becomes operative to maintain the gasgenerating materials in cylinder 7 and exclude them from tank 1, whenthe tank is inverted. Y

It will be readily seen that the gas passage 1() is of such a characterthat it can be easily cleaned, inspected and kept free from obstruction.All this can be accomplished by removing one cylinder from the other.Attached to cylinder 7, are lugs or pins 7a to maintain a spaced apartrelation between j cylinder 5 and cylinder 7. Within cylinder is abottle cage ,11, with a spider or disc 12, extending beyond its sides asa projectionV and in alignmentwith cylinder 5, operable to maintain thecage in a predetermined po'- sition. vSaid cage 11, is supported by arod 18, resting on the base 5a, to elevatevthe cage i and provide achamber below the base of the cage. Attached to the top of the cage 11.is a rod 1li, extending int-o the onen end of cylinder 7, to a pointadjacent the top thereof, the advantage of this rod will later appear.On the end of the rod 14, is a disc or projec tion 15 of the sainediameter or less than the inside diameter of cylinder 7, operable toposition the rod centrally of cylinder 7. A receptacle 16, such as abottle for a gas generating material such as percent sulphuric acid iscontained within the bottle cage 11. fi non-splash hollow stopper 17, isplaced in the. neck of tie bottle to prevent the splash of the 'fluidgasg'enerat'ing material 'from the reeepta'cli-i.4 The stopper hasopenings in its top in which tubes 18 are inserted and extend into thehollow vspace of the stopper to act additioi'ial baiiii'ig incluis. Ainopening i9, is in the bott-oni of: the stopper and baiil'es 20, areinterposed between the opening 10 in the bottom and the outlet tubes 18in the toip to retard the splash of the fluid from the recegtacle due tojar and vibration. Slid ably mounted on rod 14:., are containers 21adapted to hold a gas generating material such as bicarbonate of soda..Attached to the bottoni ci" each `containcr is a tube 22, slidablymounted. on rod le, with the end of the tube extending' a distance abovethe top of the container operable when the extinguisheris inverted topermit the container to slide down the tube and strike the bottom with asharp impact thereby projecting the soda therei from when theextinguisher is inverted and to hold the `container away from theprojected soda. thereby permitting the acid that flows from receptacle16 to Jfreely adinix with the soda to create 'a gas pressure. Saidcontainers also act as a baille to the reacting gas genen atingmaterials and the iiow of the 'generated gas.

Exterior of cylinder is a cylinder 23, solidly connected and attached toan annular projection from cap 3, thereby forming a solid top orclosurefor said cylinder 23. T he 'cylinder 23, extends from cz p 3 intotank 1, to a point below the level of the fire exe tinguishing fluid inthe tank thereby forni; ing an air bell over the open end of cylinder 5and becomes operable to exclude the tire extinguishing liquid in tank 1and the outside atmosphere from exterior 'tank 1, from the cylinder 5,in the normal upiight position of the extinguisher. Attached `tocylinder 5, is a pin 24, cooperating` with the slot 25 in cylinder 23,thereby forming a bayonet catch Voperable to withdraw the cylinder 5,and its contents from the extinguisher tank 1, when the l,cover 3 isremoved therefrom. It is then perfectlyV obvious that tube 5 with itscontents can be readily removed from cylinder 23, by releasing the pins'from the slot 25, and the contents, namely the gas generating inaLterial from tube 5, can be readily withdrawn and inspected. It will benoted that at the top end of cylinder 7 in a normal upright position ofthe extinguisher the space 26, constitutes a gas generating chamber intowhich the gas generating materials are projected when the extinguisheris inverted and likewise in space 27 to the bottoni of tubo 5 in anormal upright position ot' the extinguisher also becomes a chamber forthe reception el the residue of the gas generating materials when theextinguisher has been 'returned to normal after having been inverted.

In the modification slio'wn in Figure 2, the construction issubstantially similar to the iii) construction shown in Figure 1, withthe eX- ception that instead of the top of cylinder 7,

being part of the tank cover 3, it has a separate solid top 28, attachedthereto is a button or ring Q9, operable to lift the cylinder 7, fromcylinder 5. Cylinder 23, instead of having a top formed by the tank cap3 has a solid separate top 30, with a button or ring 31 attached theretofor withdrawing the entire generator from tank 1, by means ot' pins 2dand a bayonet catch 25. In this modification it will also be noted thatthe rod 14, and disc 15, are operable to maintain cylinder 'T in apredetermined position with its open end 9, in a spaced apart relationto the bottom 5a of cylinder 5. It is obvious from the illustration inFigure 2, that the generator is a complete unit exclusive of any part ofthe extinguisher tank or cover.

It is obvious that in assembling the generator that inasmuch as cylinderQ3 and cylinder 7 are solidly attached to cover 3 and the Cil gasgenerating materials and their containers are removably supported incylinder 5 that all that is necessary to do is to insert cylinder 5 withthe soda and acid and their containers contained within between the twocylinders 7 and 23 and turn the pins on cylinder 5 into the slot orbayonet catch 25 in cylinder 23. All three cylinders and their contentsare now maintained by cover 3 and can then be inserted into tank 1,filled with the lire eX- tinguishing liquid and the cover 3 screwed downtight. The'extinguisher is now ready for use in the fire emergency.

Operation In the fire emergency the operation of the device is asfollows Turn the extinguisher upside down, the acid contained inreceptacle 1G flows through the stopper 17, into the gas generatingchamber 2G, the soda containers 21 are projected downward and eject thesoda contained therein into the generating chamber QG, where the sodaand the acid imite to create a gas pressure which passes upward to thetop of' the cylinder 7, to inlet 9, of the gas passage 10, thencethrough the gas passage 10 between cylinder' 7, and cylinder 5 to theend of cylinder 5 to outlet 6. Then upward outside of cylinder 5 andinside of cylinder Q3 into the reservoir or tank to the top of the lireextinguisher fluid therein, thereby forcing the fluid 1a through theoutlet of the reservoir 4:. through the hose 4a on to the fire.

It will be understood that the mechanism herein described may beutilized for expelling from a container fluid of other nature than fireextinguishing fluid, and while I have set forth this particular utilityand application of the invention because it is preferred not intendingto restrict it to this specific use, but claim the right to all uses towhich the subject matter embodied in the several claims may be put.

Having now fully described my invention what I claim as new and desireto secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a lire fighting device, a liquidcontainer having an outlet above the normal liquid level, an opening insaid container having a removable cover, a gas generator comprising twocylinders one of the cylinders having a solid bottom and an open top,the second cylinder f less outside diameter than the inside diameter ofthe first cylinder and so arranged as to provide a passage between thetwo cylinders, said second cylinder having a solid top and whose lowerend eX- tends a substantial distance into said first cylinder anddefines a completely open bottom thereinm said second cylinder beingdisposed in said first cylinder with its open bottom lowermost, gasgenerating materials in said generator normally held in a separatedcondition and operable to unite when Athe containers is inverted tocreate a gas pressure to eject the liquid fiom said container, said gaspassage connecting the interior of the generator with the exteriorthereof at a point above the level of the liquid in said container inthe normal inoperative position of the extinguisher'.

2. A gas generator comprising two cylinders one of the cylinders havinga solid bottom and an open top, a second cylinder of less outsidediameter than the inside diameter of the first cylinder whereby an openpassage is provided therebetween, said second cylinder having a solidtop and a bottom whose cross-sectional area is onen contained in thefirst cylinder at a substantial distance from the open end of the firstcylinder with said open bottom lowermost in the normal. position ofthegenerator, gas generating materials in said generator normallv held in aseparated condition and operable to unite when the generator is invertedto create a gas pressure, said passage extending from the interior ofthe generator to the exterior thereof and an inlet to the passage withinthe generator located at a distance from the reacting gas generatingmaterials when the generator is inverted and when said generator isreturned to its normal position after having been inverted to excludethe gas generating materials from the exterior of the generator.

3. A gas generator comprising two cylinders one of the cylinders havinga solid bottom and an open top, a second cylinder of less outsidediameter than the inside diame ter or" the first cylinder whereby anopen passage is provided therebetween, said second cylinder having asolid top and a completely open bottom contained in the first cylinderat a substantial distance from the open end of the first cylinder withits open bottom lowermost in the normal position of the generator, gasgenerating materials in said generator normally held in a separatedcondition and operable to unite when the generaf tor is inverted tocreate a gas pressure,said

passage extending from the interior of the generator lto the exteriortliereotl and means to maintain the second cylinder in spaced apartrelation to the first cylinder and pro-V vide a space between the openlower end ot' the second cylinder and the base of the Iirst cylinder.

sage between the tivo cylinders, said second Acylinder having asolidtopand Whose lower end extends a substantial distance into saidfirst cylinderand defines a completely open bottom therein, 'said secondcylinder being disposed. in said iirst cylinder With its open bottomlovvermost in the normal position ot the generator, gas generatingmaterials in said generator normally held in a separated con'- ditionand operable to .unite vtocreate pressure to eject the liquid fromthecontainer When the container is inverted, said passage connecting theinterior of the generator to the exterior thereof and means to excludethe fire extinguishing liquid from the generator when the container isupright or subjected to movement.

5. In a firefighting device in. combination a` container for a ireextinguishingliquid having an outlet, an opening in said contain-` erand a closure therefor, a gas generator in said container, gasgenerating means in said generator arranged to create pressure to expelthe fire extinguishing liquid from the container, an open passage fromthe interior of Y the generator to the exterior thereof, and means toexclude the iireextinguishing liquid from the passage when the containeris subjected to movement or jar. l

6. Iii a- `ire fighting ,device a liquid coiitainery for fireextinguishiiigrliquid having Van outlet above the liquid level,` a gasgenerator in said container comprising a cylinder having a solidV bottomand openjtop,van openended second cylinder having `a closed top with theclosed top uppermost contained in said first cylinder, a passage betweenthetwo cylinders opening into the container and Van inlet to saidpassage so positioned Withinathegenerator as to be above the seat ofreaction of the gas generating materials in said' generator When thecontainer is inverted.

7. In a fire iigliting device a liquid con `having an opening intothecontainer, gas

generating means in said generator operable to create pressure to expelthe liquid frein the container whenthe container,` is inverted` andmeans comprising an air bell to exclude the tire extinguishingiiquidfromthe interior of the generator' in tlie normal upright positionoi" the, container or when the container is subjected to movement in orironiit-s uprigiitposition.I v

ti. In a lire lighting device in combination a liquid Vcontaineriireextingiiisling liqf nid, a gas generator lin said Acontainerhaviiigaii always open outlet into said container and means to excludethe tire extinguishing liquid from the interior o ttlie. generator whenthe container is subjectedto movement or jar from or in its uprightposition.

t). in a lire tigliting devicein combination a tank for a tireextinguishing liquigha gas generator supported in said tankcomprising acasing having 4a solid base, and open top,- gas generating materialsWithinhsaidcasing:

arranged to unite to create pressure when the generatoris inverted, asecond casing having aV closed top and Whose lov'ver limitsdejline anopening inserted top uppermost into the first casing with its lowerlimits disposed centrally of the iirst casing and so positioned andarranged that the gas generating materials Will be projected tnreinto,adm ix'. and will not pass therefrom When the tank is inveited.V

l10. A gas generator comprising atiibiilar casing having a solid baseand an opentop, gas generatingniaterials in said casing held in aseparated condition andarrangedjo uniteto create pressure when thegenerator is inverted, a second tubular casing having a vsolidtop and`Whose lower limitsdeiines 4,

casing havin@v a solid base and an o ento t: t: l l 7 gas generatingmaterials' in said casing held in `a separated condition and arranged Ato imite toereate pressure when the generator is inverted, a secondtubularcasing having- .a solid top and ivhoseloiver limits Adefinesan oJenin@ contained to `u a ieimost in said first l D i l l Y i l casing,means' tofni'aintain the open end of.

with the closed end of the .tiiistcasingz l2, Ina gas generator, amultiplicityof receptacles, gas generating .materials'held in aseparated condition in said receptacles and arranged to unite to createpressure when the generatoris inverted and' means operable and soarranged as to successively pro- .,tlie second casing in spaced apartrelation vide impacts to the receptacles, when the generator isinverted, to project the contents from the receptacles..

13. In a tire lighting .device altankhaving an outlet to containa fireextinguishing iso,

liquid, an opening in said tank having a removable cover, a gasgenerator containing gas generating materials held in a separatedcondition and arranged to unite to create pressure when the tank isinverted to project the liquid therefrom contained in said tankcomprising a cylinder having a solid base and an open top said top beingpositioned adjacent the opening in said tank, a second cylinder of lessoutside diameter than the inside diameter ot' the lirst cylinderattached to'the cover of the tank with its open end arranged to beinserted into the open end or the first cylinder to provide means toexclude 5 the gas generating materials from the exterior of thegenerator when the tank is inverted. i i

14. In a fire ghting device, a tank for `fire extinguishing Vtluidhaving an opening and a closure theretor and an outlet above the normalliquid level ot the fluid in the tank, a gas generator having an alwaysopen outlet above the normal liquid level in said tank containinggenerating materials held in aseparated condition and operable to createa gas pressure to expel the tire extinguishing lluid from the tank whenthe device is inverted and means in said tank to exclude the atmosphereoutside the generator from the interior of said generator in the uprightposition of the tank.

15. A gas generator comprising a cylinder with a solid bottom and anopen top, a n second cylinder having a closed top and whose lower endextends a substantial distance into the said liist cylinder and delinesa completely open bottom therein, said second cylinder being disposed insaid lirst cylinder H4 with its closed top uppermost in the normalupright position of the generator, said cylinders being of dili'erentdiameters whereby a passage is formed therebetween; gas generatingmaterials held in a separated condition and operable to imite to createpressure when 5 the generator is inverted contained within the tirstcylinder and so positioned and arranged as to be projected into andadmix in the second cylinder when the generator is inverted to create agas pressure.

0 16. 1n a lire extinguisher in combination a tank for lireextinguishing agent, having an opening and a closure therelfor andoutlet therefrom, a gas generator in said tank comg prising a cylinderwith a solid bottom and an open top, a second cylinder having a closedtop and an open bottom contained in the lirst cylinder with its closedtop uppermost in the normal upright position of the generator, gas

. p generating materials held in a separated con- 0 dition and sopositioned and arranged as to be projected into and adinix in the secondcylindei' when the extinguisher is inverted to create a gas pressurecontained within the n lirst cylinder and means to exclude the lire 6'5extinguishing agent from the interior of the Legaal? generator when thetank is subjected to movement, or vibiation from or in its normalupright position.

l'l. 1n a lire extinguisher in combination a tank for lire extinguishingagent having an opening and a closure therefor and an outlet tnei-eirom,a gas generator in said tank comprising a cylinder with a solid bottomand an open top, a second cylinder having a closed top and an openbottom contained in the lirst cylinder with its closed top uppermost inthe normal upright position or the generator, gas generating materiaisheld in a separated condition and operable to unite to create pressurewhen the generator' is Yinverted contained within the iirst cylinder andso positioned and arranged as to be projected into and admix in thesecond cylinder when the generator is inverted to create a gas pressureand means comprising an air beii to exclude the lire extinguishing agentfrom the generator v-:iien the tank is subjected to movement.

18. A gas generator comprising a cylinder with a solid bottom and anopen top, a second cylinder ot less outside diameter than the insidediameter of the lirst cylinder whereby to provide a space therebetween,said second cylinder being closed at the top and whose lower end extendsa substantial distance into the iirst cyiiiider and dennes a completelyopen bottoni therein, said second cylinder being disposed in the saidlirst cylinder, gas generating materials contained in said generatorheld in a separated condition and arranged to unite to create pressurewhen the generator is inverted, and means in said generator to bailletlie reacting` chemicals and generated gas when the generator isinverted to exclude the gas generating materials troni the exterior otthe generator.

19. ln a lire lighting device a tank with an outlet containing a lireextinguishing liq` uid having an opening and a closure therefor, a gasgenerator in said tank comprising a cylinder having a closed base and anopen top end, a second cylinder having a closed top and whose lower enddelines an open bottom contained open end downward in the tirst cylinderand so arranged as to provide a space between the two cylinders, a thirdcylinder with a solid top and an open bottom coveringl the open end ofthe lirst cylinder, said third cylinder having a portion in spacedrelation to said lirst cylinder and extending a substantial distancebelow the open top of said iii-st cylinder and below the level of thelire extinguishing liquid and means to withdraw the generator from thetank as and for the purpose specilied.

20. In a lire lighting device in combination a tank having an outlet toContain a lire extinguishing liquid, an opening in said tank having aremovable cover, an open gas generator containing gas generatingmaterials operable to create pressure when the tank is llii invertedcontained in said tank and .means connected to the cover of the tank toexclude the re extinguishing liquid from the generator when the tank issubjected to movement in or from its upright position.

21. In a gas generator, a receptacle to hold a Vgas generating liquid, amultiplicity of loosely mounted containers to hold other gas generatingmaterials, said containers disposed for relative longitudinal movementin the generator to provide upon inversion an impact for said containerste eject the contents thereof, said containers being formed to providedifferent layers of the gas generating material te facilitate thereaction of the chemicals when the generator is inverted.

22. A gas generating unit comprising a receptacle having a constantlyvopen outlet therein adapted to be placed in a liquid carrying containerand operable on inversion to create a pressure and means associated withsaid outlet operable to exclude the liquid from the interior of saidreceptacle and maintain the outlet always open.

23. In a dre lighting device the combination of a tank having an outlet,a generator disposed therein and .adapted to generate pressure uponinversion of said tank and means associated with said generatorextending a substantial distance above the tank outlet for conductingthe pressure upon inversion at substantially all points about thegenerator to a substantial distance above the tank outlet and toward thethen liquid level of the said tank. A

2A. In a fire fighting device the combination of a tank having anoutlet, a generator disposed therein adapted to generate pressure uponinversion of said tank, and annular means associated with said generatorextending a substantial distance above the tank Outlet and spacedtherefrom for conducting said pressure upon inversion in an annularcurrent to above the tank outlet and towards the then liquid level ofsaid tank.

25. A stopper for a liquid carrying receptacle, an always open passagethrough said stopper' and battling means in said stopper in the line ofsaid passage to prevent passage of liquid therethrough when thereceptacle is subject to or shaking.

26. A stopper for a liquid carrying receptacle having an always openpassage therethrough and means in the line of said passage operable toexclude passage of liquid therethrough when the receptacle is subject tojar or shaking.

27. A gas generator comprising two cylinders, one of the cylindershaving a solid bottom and an open top and a second cylinder having asolid top and whose lower end defines an open bottom contained in thefirst cylinder with its open bottoni lowermost in the normal position ofthe generator; gas generating materials in said generator normally heldin a separated condition operable to unite when the generator isinverted to create a gas pressure; an annular passage from the interiorof the generator to the eX- terior; and inlet means therefor remote fromthe seat of the reaction of the gas generating materials when thegenerator is inverted.

28. A gas generator comprising two cyl- ,inders, one ot' the cylindershaving a solid bottom and an open top and a second cylinder having asolid top and whose lower end defines-an open bottom contained in thelirst cylinder with its open bottom lowermost in the normal position ofthe generator; the lower end of said second cylinder extending asubstantial distance into the first cylinder; gas generating materialsin said generator normally held in a separated condition operable tounite when the generator is inverted to create a gas pressure; and anannular passage from the interior to the exterior of the generator, saidpassage having an outlet immersed in the liquid of the container when inthe inverted and in the normal position.

29. A gas generator comprising two cylinders, one of the cylindershaving a solid bottom .and an open top and a second cylinder having asclid top and whose lower end delines an open bottom contained in thefirst cylinder with its open bottom lowermost in the normal position ofthe generator; the lower end of said second cylinder extending asubstantial distance into the first cylinder; gas generating materialsin said generator normally held in a separated condition operable tounite when the generator is inverted to create a gas pressure; saidcylinders being spaced concentrically for defining a passageway from theinterior of the generator to conduct the generated gas therefrom whenthe generator is inverted.

30. In a tire ghting device the combination of a tank having an outlet,a generator having an opening disposed therein and adapted to generatepressure upon inversion of said tank and bell-shaped means associatedwith the opening of said generator extending a substantial distanceabove the tank outlet for conducting the pressure upon inversion atsubstantially all points about the generatorto a substantial distanceabove the tank outlet and toward the then liquid level of the said tank.

Dated April 12, 1928.

, GEO. T. PEARSONS.

